Our Services
At Anacapa Animal Hospital we believe preventative pet care is the best way to enhance your pet's health and longevity. We also believe that each pet is a family member and an individual with unique medical, surgical, dental and nutritional needs.
As a member of your family, we want your pet to remain a loving part of your life for as long as possible. Our dedicated team contributes to maintaining the health of you four-legged family member through the following services.
Annual Exams | Vaccinations | Heartworm & Parasite Prevention | Senior Care | Puppy & Kitten Plans | Shelter Exams | Licensing | Microchip Identification | Nutrition Counseling | Emergency Care | Surgery | Dentistry | Hospitalization | Pain Management | Radiology |Ultrasound | Laboratory Services | Pharmacy
Annual Examinations
Examinations are critical to help veterinarians find diseases early before they become too advanced and more difficult to treat or control. We offer a comprehensive physical exam that helps to evaluate the overall health of your pet and to detect any problems that may have potential to become serious illnesses.
Dogs and cats age about seven times as fast as we do. So as pets age they should be examined even more often. Depending upon the age of your pet, blood tests or other diagnostics may be recommended as part of regular wellness care and disease prevention. Examinations also give you an opportunity to ask questions about your pet's health to minimize disease or injury and ultimately enhance the quality of your pet's life.
[back to the top]Vaccinations
Vaccinating your dog or cat protects him or her against a wide variety of infectious diseases. At Anacapa Animal Hospital we do not believe that one vaccination program is correct for all pets. Therefore, our vaccine protocols are as individual as your pet itself. During your exam our veterinarian will discuss with you a vaccination program that is based on the particular lifestyle of your pet.
[Back to the top]Heartworm and Parasite Prevention
All dogs in the Ventura County area should be on an effective heartworm preventive year round. Administration is easier than ever with once-a-month tasty chews. Cats, too, should be treated for parasites on a regular basis. The heartworm medication recommended at Anacapa is also effective in preventing other parasites such as hookworms and round worms - so each month you are protecting your pet against multiple parasitic infections. For more information regarding parasites and your pet's visit - the Companion Animal Parasite Council online.
[Back to the top]Senior Care
As your pet grows older we recommend that "wellness visits" become more frequent and that we see your pet at least twice a year (every 6 months) for senior bloodwork and senior care. Bloodwork for seniors may include urinalysis, kidney and liver functions, complete blood cell counts, and thyroid functioning. It is important to have this bloodwork performed as it is the only way to identify systemic abnormalities that a physical examination may not detect.
Many older dogs and cats suffer from osteo-arthritis. Safe and effective pain medications can make these pets comfortable and help live longer, happier lives with your family. Many of the pain medications belong to a class of drugs call NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). All pets should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before initiation of NSAID therapy. Appropriate laboratory tests to establish baseline blood values prior to, and periodically during, the use of any NSAID are required at our clinic. We would never want to cause harm with the medications that we prescribe For a handout on NSAIDs click here.
[Back to the top]Puppy and Kitten Plans
Anacapa Animal Hospital provides a package of services specially created to provide an essential baseline of immunity and wellness care for puppies and kittens. The services include examinations, vaccinations, dewormings and special nutrition and educational consultations - all for one basic discounted fee. Additional discounts on microchips and neutering your pet are available to patients participating in these plans. Our goal is to have the healthiest pets in Ventura County and these plans ensure that we are all putting our best paw forward. Pricing is based on the age of your pet.
[Back to the top]Shelter Voucher Exams
Adopting a new pet? Anacapa Animal Hospital honors vouchers from local shelters.
[Back to the top]Ventura County Licensing
Anacapa Animal Hospital is authorized by the County of Ventura Animal Regulation to issue licenses for most cities in the county. For more information on Licensing your pet in Ventura County click here.
[Back to the top]Microchip Identification
At Anacapa Animal Hospital, we recommend all pets have a form of ID on at all times. A microchip is a permanent ID that will ensure your pet can always be identified if lost. A microchip about the size of a grain of rice is placed just under the skin of your pet (usually between the shoulder blades) making it a quick and procedure - and providing priceless peace-of-mind for you. Since there are no negative side-affects to this procedure we recommend all pets have a microchip.
Read more about our clinics Microchip Miracles
[Back to the top]Nutrition counseling
It has been our experience that certain physical problems with our pets stem from the types of foods they eat. We offer the following
- Obesity Management
- Diabetic Management
- GI Distress Management
- Allergy Management
- Organ Insufficiency Management
- Urinary Tract Management
Emergency Care Service
Anacapa Animal Hospital is available to care for emergency situations during our normal business hours. After hours emergencies are handled by the local urgent care facilities. Pet Emergency Clinic is the closest emergency clinic to our hospital.
For more information about what constitutes an emergency go to the American Animal Hospital site.
If you have any concerns at all, we encourage you to bring your pet in and have us evaluate him or her.
[Back to the top]Surgery
Our hospital includes a state-of-the-art surgical suite and advanced surgical equipment that enable us to perform a wide range of surgical procedures including elective surgery, minor orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery and corrective ophthalmic surgery. All patients are carefully screened for anesthetic risks, and the anesthetics used are specifically tailored to your pet. Our general surgical services include: fully-trained veterinary and technical staff, to ensure the safest state-of-the-art procedures for your pet; continuous heat and temperature monitoring for greater comfort; continuous ECG, carbon dioxide and oxygen saturation monitoring, blood pressure monitoring; and comprehensive in-house blood testing. A dedicated and fully-trained surgical technician continuously monitors each patient during anesthesia and elective surgeries such as spays and neuters are performed with the same care and dedication as more complex surgeries.
All surgical patients receive a physical exam prior to anesthetic induction, pre-surgical medications to eliminate any possible stress, and IV fluids during their surgical procedures. Pain management protocols (see below) are an important part of every surgical intervention. Fluid therapy is provided to all patients to support their vital organs during surgeries. We pride ourselves on our detail and safety-oriented approach to anesthesia and intra-operative surgical support.
- Surgical Admissions
- Presurgical bloodwork is recommended for all anesthetic patients (Full-panels within the last month)
- Consent forms (click for PDF) must be signed prior to surgery
- No food after 9PM the night before surgery (water is OK)
- Arrive at the hospital by 9:00 AM the morning of surgery
- Please provide us with accurate contact information for a responsible party available throughout the day.
- At admission, our staff will review a detailed estimate for the procedures. Estimates may be requested in advance as well.
- During the day
- It is generally difficult to give you a specific time for your pet's surgery. Feel free to call during the day to check on your companion's surgical and recovery status. Your pet will be assigned a technician who can update you regularly.
- After Surgery
- Follow your discharging veterinarian's instructions
- Monitor your pet's incision for swelling and redness
- Monitor your pet's appetite
- Maintain bandages and administer medications as instructed
- Return for follow-up as directed
Dentistry
Dental hygiene is an important part of your pet's health and can often be the cause of serious illness. After consulting with the veterinarian, our highly trained technicians regularly perform cleanings, scaling, assessment of tooth and gum health, and extractions. Dentals are day long procedures that allow your pet to go home after fully recovering from anesthesia.
We are fully equipped to take and evaluate dental x-rays. Our services include restorative procedures and extend to complete surgical extractions. Read more about Dental Care Services at Anacapa Animal Hospital.
[Back to the top]Hospitalization
If at any time your pet is in need of continuous medical care due to illness or injuries, Anacapa Animal Hospital can provide top quality inpatient care. Some of our services include blood pressure monitoring, intravenous catheters, urinary catheters, intravenous or subcutaneous fluids, and intravenous, subcutaneous and intramuscular medicine injections, ECG monitoring, oxygen therapy and thermoregulation.
[Back to the top]Pain Management
Managing your pet's pain is one of our highest priorities. It has been shown again and again that pain impairs healing and, more importantly, is inhumane. We place utmost importance on your pet's comfort and well-being.
At Anacapa Animal Hospital, we utilize numerous protocols for controlling pain. These can include oral medications, injections, constant infusions, nerve blocks, regional analgesia and sustained release pain patches.
[Back to the top]Radiology
Radiology (X-ray) technology is important in evaluating bone and soft tissue and is essential for diagnosing certain medical and surgical problems. Performed routinely, most often with your pet awake, radiographs can be developed on-site and quickly to help diagnose the problem. Due to the nature of x-rays, it is important for your pet to remain still with minimal restraint. If this is not possible, a short acting sedative is generally used. At Anacapa Animal Hospital, we offer routine and special technique radiographic services. The special techniques we offer include: all gastrointestinal procedures, cardiac studies, pulmonary studies, intravenous urograph, arthography, vascular studies, cystograms and fistulograms. To ensure quality care, our critical case radiographs are reviewed by a board certified radiologist.
More information on our new Digital Radiology Service
[Back to the top]Ultrasound
This noninvasive, state-of-the-art technology uses sound waves to painlessly examine specific internal organs. Often more exact and less harmful than an x-ray, ultrasounds are extremely useful in diagnosing diseases and other health problems quickly and efficiently. Ultrasound also allows us to biopsy intra-abdominal structures without surgery. Pregnancy exams are also available. Ultrasound is especially useful in examining the function of the heart.
[Back to the top]Laboratory Services
Laboratory testing is the foundation of diagnostics in veterinary medicine. As a dedicated provider of quality veterinary care we provide our patients with both referral laboratory and on-site services. General laboratory samples are entrusted to the experts at our outside reference laboratory. However, rapid results are crucial for emergency care. Our modern in-house laboratory equipment provides us with the necessary information for treating our emergency patients promptly and running important pre-anesthetic panels. In addition, our on-site laboratory equipment enables us to continuously monitor critical patients' blood values as needed.
[Back to the top]Pharmacy
Anacapa Animal Hospital has a full in-house pharmacy for your pet's prescription needs. In addition to prescribed medications, we also carry various over the counter medications for heartworm and flea and tick prevention.
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